Buffalo Jr. Sabres General Manager/Head Coach Grant Ledyard announced today the 3rd annual Buffalo Jr. Sabres development program. The 2010 development program has been expanded to cover birth years 2001-2000-1999-1998-1997-1996-1995, as well as last year’s ages of 1994-1993-1992-1991 and 1990.

"The demand to cover younger age groups became too overwhelming, so we have booked enough ice to cover these younger groups," said Grant Ledyard. "Our success with the Buffalo Jr. Sabres development program the last two years has prompted us to expand to a larger high end talent pool of younger skaters. It also allows us to have each group branch off and select a spring team that represents the Buffalo Jr. Sabres seems like a natural fit. Ultimately we are looking to get all the top rated kids together from WNY."

The development program will start April 19th and run approximately eight weeks with each group skating two times per week. The program is aimed at the higher-end player from AAA and AA organizations from Buffalo and surrounding areas. Last year the program produced three spring teams, however, the expanded program this year will see each age group have its own separate spring team competing in tournaments in cities like Toronto, Rochester, Boston as well as local tournaments.

The following coaches will have been selected to run a tournament team under the Jr. Sabres:

2001 - Wayne Clark

2000 - Michael Peca/ Jon Braun

1999 – Mike Lock

1998 - Matthew Barnaby

1997 - Chris Gates

1996 - Dan Mancuso/ Al Heerdt

1995 – Trevor Lock/Grant Ledyard

1994 - Grant Ledyard

1993 - Bob Rosen

1992/91/90 - Grant Ledyard

Spring tournament team costs will be separate of the development program and will announced according to each individual team.

The eight-week development program will be at a cost of $450.00 per person. Each individual age group will consist of four goalies and 30-35 skaters. Even though the spring teams are run separate from the development program, it is aimed to handle both. You do not have to be in the program to play on the spring team, but it is ideal to do both. To register or for more information log onto www.sabres.com/springcamp

Please contact Grant Ledyard at Grant.Ledyard@Sabres.com with any questions.